Look at a topographic
map of the water catchment in your area. Decide from the map where
the wetlands might be. The students work together to identify
the geological processes that formed the wetlands in their area.
Make a model of a
river catchment system in a sand box. Cover the sand with a sheet
of plastic and shape the rivers with a finger. Pour water over
the upper slopes of your catchment with a watering can to simulate
rain and watch how the water rushes down the river.
Smooth areas into
flatlands along the rivers of your model watershed and place pieces
of sponges into them. These are wetlands. Now pour water over
the model from the rain can and watch how the sponges absorb and
hold the water.
Discover where the
old wetlands were in your area. This is a very important quest
as today, information on local wetlands is scarce. This is a real
detective job. You might obtain the newly published Directory
of Wetlands in New Zealand from the Department of Conservation
and find out what is known about wetlands in your area. Then look
up the oldest topographic map you can find of your area and compare
this with a modern one. Are there any wetlands marked on the old
one missing from the new one? The bottom of most valleys would
have had wetlands. If you go to these areas you might find the
wetlands have dried up, having been drained with ditches or pipes.
Pasture land grasses will have invaded the old wetland and you
will see deep muddy tracks from livestock (or from yourself).
Conduct a survey
to determine if any farmers or authorities in your area have retired
pasture and helped wetlands rebuild. This is also a very important
quest for information as we need to have information on where
this was done, how well it worked, and what is happening now.
Make a Wetlands Map
of your area showing the filled in wetlands, any existing wetlands,
and restored wetlands. Be sure to include your name, the name
of your school, the school address, dates of your survey, and
the map number you used for your reference. Photocopy this and
send it to Dr. Neil Mitchell, University of Auckland. East Tamaki
Campus Private Bag 92019, Auckland.
Help rebuild a wetland
near your school or home. In many cases all that is needed is
to close off the drainage from the wetland and allow the area
to refill with water. If you wish to make it an effective wetland,
so it can purify agricultural run-off and trap sediment, plant
native wetland plants such as Flax, Raupo (bullrushes), or other
rushes, such as Baumea. These grow rapidly and are very
effective.
Students research
the history of a community improvement group established to improve
wetlands. Present a report evaluating the impact of the group's
activities.
Visit an artificial
wetlands in your area. Enquire at your Regional or District Council
for the nearest location. Students in the Auckland area can visit
the Beachlands Maraetai Sewage Treatment Plant Artificial wetlands.
This experimental programme has proved highly successful in yielding
pure water from sewage water run off.
